Preparing to talk about PRUs and a bit of Northern Soul at "Ancient World Studies and Fairer Societies" in Manchester this weekend

I have shared previously on this blog how much I loved running classical mythology-themed sessions at cultural sites for young people at PRUs (Pupil Referral Units). 

The first was with three primary school boys in spring of least year (2022) at the neoclassical Mount Clare in Roehampton in South-West London for the youth education programme Proud Places. 

The second, also in London - in Hampstead - took place a few months later, at Keats House, with boys from another PRU in London.

Keats House, once the home of the John Keats whose poetry and life (esp. the choice he faced between medicine and poetry) formed the focus of a Hercules-themed session with students from a PRU in London in summer 2022.

A seriously colour-coordinated me during my session at the Mount Clare temple with students from a PRU for the Proud Places youth programme in spring 2022.

A few months ago, I read the following notice about a workshop at the Manchester Centre for Youth Studies for classicists to discuss public engagement work including with PRUs:

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Public Engagement Workshop: Ancient World Studies and Fairer Societies 

An event hosted collaboratively between the Institute of Classical Studies and Manchester Centre for Youth Studies

https://ics.sas.ac.uk/events/public-engagement-workshop-ancient-world-studies-and-fairer-societies

This one-day workshop aims to share and discuss public engagement and policy work projects carried out within the fields of Classics, Ancient History, Archaeology and Ancient World Studies more broadly. We would like to hear from colleagues who have worked with and/or for young people (0-25 years) in areas of education, community, care, and policy. Themes and topics may include, but are not restricted to:

• Co-producing projects with young people;
• Community work to support and engage young people;
• Theatre and performance with young people;
• Work towards shaping education policy;
• Work with PRUs and marginalised or excluded young people;
• Projects with care-leavers;
• Work with young people with disabilities;
• Projects for and with LGBTQ+ Youth projects;
• Projects supporting and involving young people from BAME and/or less privileged backgrounds;
• Work with young refugees; 
• Projects around young people's mental health and wellbeing. 

There will also be time allocated to facilitate discussion of potential projects with participants and partners, with a view to fostering collaboration, creative thinking, and sharing of experience and networks. We anticipate the publication of an edited volume within a dedicated series, showcasing the work of Ancient World researchers and teachers in working towards fairer societies. 

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Enthused and exciting at this opportunity to share and connect, I responded as follows:

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I would deeply like to take part in this event - not least in light of the opportunities set out in the Call to connect with others and explore possible new collaborations. I have recently begun to run sessions shaped by classical myth at cultural sites - in London to date - for students at PRUs. I would like to take this work further in connection with lessons I have developed for autistic young people, especially for a book due out this year. I am also tentatively planning a project on classical myth, dancing and self-expression through Northern Soul with a music producer/DJ. I would love the opportunity to share my progress to date, see what potential participants think there might be looking ahead - and connect with others driven to seek to make a difference.

All best, and thanks in advance for any responses... 

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The result: I'm off to Manchester this weekend!

I'm able to attend due to the generosity of my colleagues in the Archaeology and Ancient History Department at Leicester University where I am currently an Honorary Visiting Fellow.

I'll be one of several people talking about working with PRUs. I'll say something briefly at least as well about the Northern Soul-linked project I mentioned in the message quoted above as well. I'm looking forward to hearing about the work and plans of others interested in making 'real world' applications of Classics. And I'm excited at the potential for exploring collaborations.

Watch this space...